Sauteed Cauliflower

This crunchy, tacky Sauteed Cauliflower has me over right here make the identical facet dish on repeat a number of instances a month these days. It’s jaw-droppingly simple to drag collectively, and my boys prefer it a lot they snag items proper out of the pan.

For those who’ve been studying this weblog for some time, that I’m a longtime fan of easy, satisfying, and simply downright tasty facet dishes that I can throw collectively on busy nights, and sides like sauteed broccoli and asparagus are sometimes seen on my meal plan.

And this cauliflower? It falls proper in keeping with that: hearty, tacky, and simply plain simple to make. From begin to end, all of the prep and cooking for the dish could be executed in lower than half-hour with a minimal of fuss.

I like the distinction of textures on this dish, too. The tacky cauliflower and crunchy breadcrumbs pair collectively so properly. Certainly one of my boys, usually a fierce critic of any dish containing cauliflower, even got here again for seconds!

cheesy, crunchy cauliflower in stainless pan

Elements and Substitutions

Cauliflower – Cauliflower is a good vegetable for making saucy, flavorful dishes. It absorbs a lot taste, and provides a satisfying crunch that I simply can’t get sufficient of.

Breadcrumbs – Panko is my go-to for this. However, I’m not tremendous model loyal on breadcrumbs.

The Cheese – You’ll love the nuttiness that Parmesan cheese brings with it.

The Butter – I solely use salted butter in my recipes, until in any other case specified.

Salt & Pepper – Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. At all times

Notes on Tools

Oven Safe Skillet – I take advantage of this heavy responsibility 12″ metal frying pan practically daily. This factor is a complete champ, it doesn’t matter what I’m cooking. And it’s oven and broiler secure to 800°F.
Chef’s knife
Slicing board
Microplane or grater for the cheese

How one can Make Sauteed Cauliflower

Making ready the Elements – Earlier than I begin cooking, I normally shred the Parmesan cheese and set it apart within the fridge for later. I additionally chop the cauliflower at this stage.

Melting the Butter – I soften a tablespoon of butter over medium-high warmth in a big oven-safe skillet.

Including Breadcrumbs – As soon as the butter has melted, you’lll toss the bread crumbs into the butter and provides them a fast stir to coat them.

Sauteing – You’ll need to let the breadcrumbs prepare dinner within the pan for about 2 minutes, till properly toasted and golden.

Reserving the Breadcrumbs – As soon as the breadcrumbs have browned, switch them from the warmth to a plate to chill rapidly, earlier than they get too brown, as they’ll carry over some warmth and proceed browning for just a few moments after they’re on the plate. Set that apart.

Simmering the Cauliflower – Return the pan to the range over medium-low warmth and add the cauliflower to the pan, together with 2 tablespoons of water. You’ll need to cowl the pan with a lid and let the cauliflower prepare dinner for about 5 minutes. Then, uncover the pan, improve the warmth to medium, and proceed to prepare dinner till any remaining water has evaporated.

adding splash of water to sauteeing cauliflower

Including Butter Once more – At this level, I add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and permit it to soften utterly.

Cooking – You’ll need to let the cauliflower prepare dinner till browned, stirring incessantly. It needs to be fork tender, however nonetheless loads crisp. I discover that this normally takes about 8-10 minutes.

Seasoning – I season the cauliflower generously with salt and pepper at this level.

Topping with Cheese – Now’s once I’ll sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese over the cauliflower, cowl the skillet with a lid, and switch off the warmth. Let that sit till the cheese has melted.

Serving – As soon as the cheese has melted, prime with the toasted breadcrumbs and serve instantly.

close up of breadcrumb and parmesan topped cauliflower

Professional Tip

After including the breadcrumbs to the melted butter within the skillet, it’s necessary to stir rapidly to coat them with the butter. That mentioned, don’t rush toasting the breadcrumbs themselves. It may be simple to blacken the breadcrumbs, somewhat than browning them; as soon as blackened, they are going to lose their nutty taste and style bitter. I sometimes sauté breadcrumbs for about two minutes, however relying on how rapidly they brown in your pan it’s possible you’ll need to flip down the warmth a bit and prepare dinner for barely longer.

Chopping the Cauliflower – Take the time to fastidiously chop your cauliflower into uniform, 1-1½ inch items whenever you’re prepping all the things. This may permit the parts to prepare dinner and brown evenly.

Browning the Cauliflower – Equally, it normally takes 8-10 minutes to prepare dinner the cauliflower in my pan. However, your mileage might fluctuate. The objective is for the cauliflower to be uniformly golden-brown and al dente.

When to Add Cheese – Associated to that objective of al dente texture, I add the Parmesan cheese to the pan when the cauliflower is fork-tender however nonetheless crisp. After the warmth is turned off, it’ll proceed to steam briefly because the cheese melts.

Serving Strategies

This cauliflower would pair properly with Skillet Pork Chops or Baked Italian Chicken, with some Rice Pilaf. And it might even be terrific with some Cajun Steak Bites and a Brussels Sprouts Salad.

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: I don’t suggest making this dish prematurely. The crispiness of the breadcrumbs and cauliflower shall be misplaced with reheating.

How one can Retailer: You’ll need to retailer these leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge.

How one can Reheat: I normally simply reheat the cauliflower in a microwave-safe dish within the microwave.

Sauteed cauliflower in skillet with serving spoon and blue napkin on table

Extra Cauliflower Recipes

Steadily Requested Questions

How usually ought to I be stirring the cauliflower?

I like to recommend keeping track of the cauliflower, stirring each minute or two. As a common guideline for cooking greens on the stovetop, you’ll need to flip as usually as wanted to attain a pleasant brown sear on as many sides as attainable.

Why is my cauliflower sticking to the pan?

In case your cauliflower isn’t totally cooked but, however is sticking to the pan, you will have both not added sufficient butter to the skillet after uncovering or forgotten to scale back the range to medium-low warmth when simmering.

How can I examine to see if the cauliflower is finished?

After I’m cooking greens within the skillet, I normally examine for doneness with a fork. The consistency needs to be al dente, barely tender however nonetheless agency sufficient for there to be a crunch.

In a big oven-safe skillet, soften 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high warmth. Add the bread crumbs and stir rapidly to coat. Saute with stirring incessantly for about 2 minutes, till toasted. Take away from the warmth, switch to a plate, and let cool.
Return the pan to the range over medium-low warmth. Add the cauliflower to the pan, together with 2 tablespoons of water. Cowl with lid and prepare dinner for about 5 minutes on a low simmer. Uncover, improve the warmth to medium, and permit the water to evaporate.
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and permit it to soften. Proceed cooking the cauliflower, stirring incessantly, for about 8-10 minutes, till browned. Season generously with salt and pepper.
When the cauliflower is fork tender, however nonetheless crisp, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cowl with lid and switch off the warmth. When the cheese has melted, prime with the toasted breadcrumbs. Serve heat.